Meta Reorganizes Metaverse Divisions, Shifts Focus to AI
Meta is restructuring its metaverse efforts, splitting them into two distinct divisions – Horizon OS and the Metaverse Product Group – in a move designed to sharpen the company’s focus on both artificial intelligence and immersive technologies.
The changes, announced today in a memo from Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, involve the elevation of Horizon OS to a standalone division under Reality Labs, reporting directly to Bosworth, with Ryan Cairns continuing to lead the team. Simultaneously, Vishal Shah, the former head of the Metaverse Product Group, is transitioning to Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL) as vice president of AI Products, beginning November 3rd and reporting to Nat Friedman. This shift underscores the growing intersection of AI and the metaverse, as companies race to develop the next generation of digital experiences.
Gabriel Aul, a longtime Meta engineer, will assume leadership of the updated Metaverse Product Group, supported by Jason Rubin, Samantha Ryan, and Thamara Sekhar. Bosworth stated the reorganization will allow Meta to leverage its “hard-earned advantage” as competition in the immersive tech space intensifies. The company has invested billions in the metaverse, and this restructuring signals a strategic pivot to optimize those investments. For more on the evolving landscape of virtual reality, see this report from Statista.
Bosworth emphasized Meta’s continued commitment to leading in immersive technology, noting the company has already demonstrated its vision. The structural changes are intended to accelerate development across both hardware and software, with Horizon OS gaining independence to evolve as a platform for Meta’s VR and AR devices, including future iterations beyond the Quest 3.
Officials stated that the coming months will be crucial in observing how these structural adjustments translate into tangible product advancements.
What you need to know
- Meta is reportedly splitting its metaverse efforts into two divisions — one focused on Horizon OS and another on the Metaverse Product Group — as part of a major internal reorganization.
- Horizon OS is now a standalone division under Reality Labs and will report directly to Bosworth, with Ryan Cairns continuing as lead.
- CTO Andrew Bosworth announced the restructuring in a memo, saying it’s meant to sharpen Meta’s focus on both AI and immersive tech.
Meta is reportedly breaking its metaverse project into two distinct pieces, and it’s putting a longtime leader in the driver’s seat to steer it through a crucial new phase.
In a new memo from Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, the company revealed a major reshuffling of teams that oversee its virtual reality and mixed reality projects, signaling Meta’s ambition to redefine how it builds the metaverse while keeping a close eye on the AI boom.
The memo, first obtained by Business Insider, confirms that Vishal Shah, the long-time head of the Metaverse Product Group, is leaving his post to join Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL) as vice president of AI Products (via UploadVR).
Leadership shuffle
Shah will begin his new job on November 3 and will report to Nat Friedman, who leads Meta’s Products and Applied Research division. Meta’s decision highlights how closely connected AI and the metaverse are now. Bosworth said this change will help Meta use its “hard-earned advantage” as more competitors join the immersive tech field. He also said Meta has already shown its vision and plans to keep leading in this area.
Gabriel Aul, a longtime Meta engineer, will take over Shah’s position. He will now lead the updated Metaverse Product Group, with support from Jason Rubin, Samantha Ryan, and Thamara Sekhar, according to Bosworth’s internal memo.
At the same time, Meta’s Horizon OS, which runs its VR headsets, is becoming a separate top-level group under Meta Reality Labs. Horizon OS will now report directly to Bosworth, and Ryan Cairns, who took over from Mark Rabkin earlier this year, will keep leading the team.
This structural shift gives Horizon OS more independence to evolve as a full-fledged platform for Meta’s VR and AR hardware lineup, including whatever comes next after the Quest 3.
In the coming months, all eyes will be on how these structural moves translate into real products. Horizon OS will eventually have the means to accelerate work across both hardware and software, while Aul’s team will focus on creating better social digital experiences.
